I could go as far as saying that inclusive education is elusive. A reality that had me thinking that perhaps the joke is on me when the school denied my son reasonable accommodations; a 1:1 facilitator, for the three-day camp that he looked forward to attending.
Many won’t understand the frustrations, and heartache, that goes with advocating for the rights of your child. The right to equal and equitable learning experiences in a system that is yet to fully recognise what inclusion means.
I am often faced with rhetorical statements such as: “Don’t all children have special needs.” Yes, all children are special and all children have needs, but not all children’s needs require special intervention and support services. Herein lies the context of it all.
“Schools with an inclusive orientation are the most effective means of combatting discriminatory attitudes, creating welcoming communities, building an inclusive society . . .” – The Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action on Special Needs Education 1994.
The reality of inclusive education becomes daunting when support needs are not recognised as such by those who are in a position to be the difference, school management. A sad reality that we’ve had to face while other’s celebrated the end of the 2017 school year.
Some interesting information:
- In 2007 South Africa ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The CRPD explicitly recognises the rights of persons with disabilities. It recognises that the State must ensure that “persons with disabilities can access an inclusive, quality and free primary education and secondary education on an equal basis with others in the communities in which they live”. A right that eludes MANY children with disabilities.
- South Africa’s policy framework on inclusive education indicates that learners who require low-intensive support are to receive such support in ordinary (mainstream) schools. Learners with moderate support needs to receive such support in full-service schools. Learners with high-intensive support needs are to be accommodated within the special needs school environment.
- The National Strategy on Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) defines learning barriers as “difficulties that arise within the education system as a whole, the learning site and / or within the learner him / herself which prevent access to learning and development for learners”. The Department of Education must therefore ensure that learners with other barriers to learning, such as deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity, autistic spectrum disorders, severe allergies, dyslexia, specific learning barriers and behavioural disorders, are also accommodated and provided for in the ordinary schools.
Read the detailed Equal Education Law Centre’s Report on Inclusive Education to gain a better understanding.
Wow, this is a moving video. Thanks for sharing! Our experience: my twins are autism spectrum. We had them in a government school from grade rr to grade r, with a facilitator. They went to a lovely school who tried their best to accommodate them. Their final report was a recommendation for a smaller class, medication, a ‘special school’ and a facilitator. And that they felt that they were not really equipped/trained to deal with the kids. In the end they were sitting apart from the rest of the class, doing different work. Our main issue is unfortunately financial. If we had lots of money we would be paying for weekly therapy (R800 an hour), have them in a small private school, with a facilitator each. Not something we can do at this stage. Second choice is to medicate them, with a facilitator in a government school. It seems wrong to me that my kids must be medicated to attend school. And once again, too expensive as well. Luckily we are in a position to homeschool. And I know that this is going to allow them to reach their full potential, whatever that is and in whatever way they can. As for socialization, we still take them to aftercare for a few hours a day. Here they can try to find themselves in society in short, manageable bursts. We are all feeling our way through special needs parenting. It’s not easy but we all become advocates for our children. Your awesome Kai is lucky to have such a passionate, fierce mom. And I think it’s wonderful, brave and amazing that your are giving your boy such great experiences. Xx
Thank you for sharing Charlotte. I enjoy your Instagram stories where you share glimpses of your parenting journey. I can relate to the financial limitations, sometimes the barrier to that ideal learning environment. Thankfully we’ve been surrounded by some sparkling gems, our silver lining when faced with obstacles such as this. An unapologetic fierceness flows through our veins.
The challenges of raising a child are hard enough without you having to do battle for equity in terms of accessibility for #AwesomeKai – I’m so sorry you both had to go through this.
Thanks Dave.
You are a great Mum. Well done raising awareness
Thank you Sula.